When Jackie, John Jr, and Caroline visited the White House in secret

[tymorial]

It had been eight years since Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis left the White House, eight years since black bunting had hung from the East Room windows and her husband’s body rested on the same bier that had held Abraham Lincoln’s.

Much had changed since President John F. Kennedy had been shot to death beside her in Dallas in 1963 and she had returned to Washington in her bloodstained clothes.

Even so, “the thought of seeing the White House again” was painful, she wrote first lady Pat Nixon in January 1970. “I have returned to Washington only to visit Arlington,” the national cemetery where her husband was buried.

“I know that time will make things easier,” she wrote. “And that one day, when they and I are older, I must take Caroline and John back to the places where they lived with their father. But that won’t be for a while.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2021/02/03/jackie-kennedy-secret-visit-white-house

Nixon is obviously controversial and was most certainly crooked. Still, this was an act of compassion and kindness. I found the whole story extremely touching. (This was published today but it wasn't breaking news. Figured this was an "other article"?)

[marble falls]

1. Nixon, with all his abysmal faults, still had his moments.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

7. The only moments tRump has are covfefe moments. . . . nt

[marble falls]

8. Oh, the covfefe moments he had!

[Delphinus]

2. Oh,

that was lovely. Thank you for sharing.

[radical noodle]

3. This is a wonderful story

Thanks so much for posting it.

It's sad that we're so surprised by two families, separated by political parties, being so decent and thoughtful.

[ananda]

4. Here's a site with no paywall and great pics.

https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/politics/a35381730/jackie-kennedy-secret-visit-to-nixon-white-house/

[PhylliPretzel]

5. Thank you, ananda.

[dlk]

6. Thanks for the link

This was a heartwarming story of a different era in Washington. When I read about both women’s commitment to the preservation of antiques, I could only wonder how many of them walked out the door with the Trumps over the past 4 years.

[tymorial]

11. Thanks for that!

I hate the pay wall but I wanted to share it anyway. The post is one of the few I subscribe.

[Lonestarblue]

9. I read this story in the Post yesterday. Here's my comment on it.

What a touching story. I well remember the Kennedys—both very intelligent and accomplished people— and how much they were admired by most of the American people, and around the world. The Obamas are another First Family who exhibited that same intelligence, grace, and thoughtfulness for other people, and I think the Bidens will also.

And what a contrast to the Trumps: he, a narcissistic liar who elevated himself in his own mind to the position of king who could do anything he wanted, including breaking the law, and she, an outwardly beautiful woman with an inward ugliness (“I don’t care, do u” on a visit to caged children) throughout her reign as First Lady, during which she was no more than a decorative mannequin and displayed only churlishness by refusing to follow tradition and invite the incoming First Lady to the White House.

I hope we never see their like in the White House again. They were a global embarrassment for the United States.

[appmanga]

10. There are people...

...who rightfully find it hard to say anything positive about Richard Nixon, but he was a brilliant man who let his paranoia and win-at-any-cost attitude ruin what could have been a celebrated place in history. Stories like this one are a reminder of how hollow and craven the Republican Party has become.